How to: Center high-mounted stop light, cheap and removable Options

[anderssj]

With what seems to be a lot of teeners being rear-ended during the past year, I decided to put an easily removable center-mounted stop light on my car. Turned out pretty well--pretty cheap too--so I thought I would share this.

First, I got a center stop light from a wrecked Volvo V70 (MY 1998-2000), part number 9151490. It was about $10 at the local PnP.



I was also able to get about 4+ feet of the wiring harness, which I cleaned up and reused.

I picked this light as I'm pretty familiar with Volvo stuff, and had noticed on the road that these were pretty bright, even if I wasn't directly behind them. In taking the light apart (curiosity can be dangerous (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) ), I found that the wide viewing angle is due to a couple of clear plastic diffusers.



Next step was removing a couple of ribs/mountings from the bottom of the light.



I used a rotary tool (dremel?), then sanded it smooth.

[a914622]

That is to funny!! The exact same light works for the Vanagons. The glass has the same slop as the Volvos. You just have to glue the black lip right to the glass. I was just holding one up last night to the teener glass.

I have a pile of them. Super bright!! and they flick on just a little faster than the bulbs so it gives it that flash effect.

FYI With a little glass work the light itself will fit the removable top under the lip. Thats were I plan on fitting mine.


Great light

jcl

[scotty b]

That is to funny!! The exact same light works for the Vanagons. The glass has the same slop as the Volvos. You just have to glue the black lip right to the glass. I was just holding one up last night to the teener glass.

I have a pile of them. Super bright!! and they flick on just a little faster than the bulbs so it gives it that flash effect.

FYI With a little glass work the light itself will fit the removable top under the lip. Thats were I plan on fitting mine.


Great light

jcl

That's great until you want to remove the top. Then you're without the 3rd light again. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) I'd be more tempted to put that lights in the targa bar trim. That way they stay in place, they can be made almost invisible when off, and they are as high as possible at all times. This is the plan with my, and Dr. Evils cars whenever that time comes (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[Dave_Darling]

That's great until you want to remove the top. Then you're without the 3rd light again.

No, the light is on the underside of the targa bar. It's not on the top at all.

--DD